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Grosgrain Archives

September 30, 2010

I've found that thrift Stores are overrun with over sized wool coats. If you buy a brand new heavyweight wool coat they can run anywhere from $100-$300+. I bought this wool coat for $7.50 at the Community Aid store. See bottom pic for before photo.

All I did to change this coat was shorten the length, take in the sides and used the extra material I cut off the bottom to make a ruffle which I then sewed into the placket. I also changed the buttons which looked a little dated.

I was inspired by this modcloth jacket. There are so many ideas you could do with wool coats and ruffles. Quote from Carol Bishop Hipps.

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This post is fantastic!Could you post steps to how you remade the coat? I don't even need ruffle details...just how you refitted the bust and back, and your able to sew it with a household machine!Dominique

Was this a lined coat? How did you deal with the lining and the hem and all that? I have been intimidated about trying to remake a lined garment, but gosh, how fabulous would it be to be able to make a coat like this from something in the thrift store!

What a gorgeous coat! I love the ruffle. Actually, when I saw the first picture, I was thinking "I saw that exact same coat--red, with a ruffle like that--at a sears outlet", but it was child-sized. It is a great colour for you.

Unfortunately I didn't take any photos while I was making this. BUT I will try to write a post explaining what I did.

Also, as far as the lining, the jacket did have lining. I sewed this the quick and dirty way. The inside on the sides are pretty ugly on the inside. But I got the job done and honestly, with thrift store clothes I don't really care what it looks like on the inside.

Oh boy! Oh boy! Thank you so much for this. I am on the search for wool coat, but then of course like you said thrift stores seem to be overrun by large coats and nothing would fit me. Hmmm... Now this gives me hope of finding that right wool coat for me to keep me warm during cold, cold days. Thank you so much!

dang, girl, you sure are creative!!! you really have a great eye for finding something ordinary then reinventing it into something fabulous! how do you do it? thanks so much for the inspiration! i really love your blog!dyna

This is so gorgeous! You have really inspired me to go thrift shopping for a coat, especially since I am about to endure my first Michigan winter. What I am wondering about it how you fitted the shoulders.

Your thrift store re-makes are incredible!!! I was hoping you could lend some advice -- I have an old-school wool pea coat, black. Super masculine, super heavy -- do you have any idvice on how to make it feel more feminine?

I LOVE this idea SO much that I took an old coat out of my closet that I didnt like and I did it myself! It is super cute and I actually like my coat now. I posted it to my blog and I hope you dont mind but I mentioned that I got the idea from you and I even linked to your blog! You can see my version of this make over at my blog www.recreateclothing.blogspot.com

Hi...amazing work on this pea coat...i have a similar one in black..i'm thinking of altering the length of the coat...but,my coat has a slit at the back...while altering the length, what to do with the slit??can u please help me???

About Me

A blog by an artsy craftsy, penny pinching, party planning, playdating,
fashion finding, sci-fi loving, stay at home mother of three little
girls *and one little boy who always keeps her sewing machine plugged in and loves all
things charming.